Knightmare
Brownlow Medallist
- Sep 22, 2010
- 19,533
- 19,542
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
- Other Teams
- Chicago Bulls
- Banned
- #1
Power rankings:
------------------Potential A-Graders--------------------
1. Jake Stringer
2. Lachlan Whitfield
3. Jaeger O’Meara (GC – 17 Y/O)
4. Jack Viney (Melb – F/S)
5. Nick Vlastuin
6. Brad Crouch (Adel – 17 Y/O)
7. Brodie Grundy
8. Joe Daniher (Ess – F/S)
9. Jimmy Toumpas
10. Mason Shaw
------------------Potentially high level AFL players--------------------
11. Kristian Jaksch
12. James Stewart (Coll – F/S)
13. Craig Moller (Freo – NSW/ACT)
14. Josh Simpson
15. Liam Mcbean
16. Sam Mayes
17. Adam Carter
18. Jonothon O’Rourke
19. Rory Atkins
20. Oliver Wines
21. Corey Chalmers
22. Jason Pongracic
23. Tanner Smith
24. Aaron Luccon
25. Lachlan Plowman
26. Jed Anderson (GWS – likely NT Zone)
27. Troy Menzel
28. Ben Kennedy
29. Laine Wilkins
30. Anthony Bonaddio
31. Emmanuel Irra
32. Nathan Wright
33. Nic Amato
34. Dayle Garlett
35. Matthew Haynes
----------------Potential AFL Quality-----------------
36. Christopher Yarran
37. Shannon Taylor
38. Matthew McDonough
39. Tim Membrey
40. Lachie Hunter (WBD – F/S)
Minidraft (2011):
#1 Gold Coast - Jaeger O’Meara (WA - Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 23/02/1994
Recruited from: Perth Football Club
Style: Gary Ablett
Player comparison:
Range (2012): 1-2
Profile: Has absolutely elite speed – 2.80 of 20m. Endurance is incredibly high – 14+ beep test. Really looks like a sensational athlete already and has huge AFL potential. He makes good use of his speed and can take players on like few others and reminds you so much of a Judd or Ablett with the way he can go. Has that rare vision and awareness to go with it. Big time clearance player. Probably more outside than inside at this stage. Overhead marking good. Gets high tackling numbers. Decision making can be iffy at times, but improving. Can kick both feet incredibly well but could certainly work on consistent by foot and hit targets and finish more consistently, certainly not as polished as Whitfield yet but is well on his way but when his kicking is on can hit at will and kicks it like homing missiles which gives me confidence that this aspect of his game will improve and develop that consistency. Also would like to see him hit the scoreboard more. But everything he can do and already does suggests that he will go on to be a special player.
Why:
#2 Adelaide - Brad Crouch (VIC - Mid)
Height: 184cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 12/01/1994
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels
Style:
Player comparison: Luke Ball
Range (2012): 3-5
Profile: Really strong inside player. Could play AFL footy now. Very ready to go. Physically is ready. Has a complete game. Really hard worker and will never die wondering. Future captain material. Ball use very good and is good by both hand and foot. Speed good. Very low risk guy where you know what you’ve got, and you know he will succeed in a big way at the next level.
Why:
GWS - NT Zone:
Jed Anderson (NT – Mid/Util)
Height: 178cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 16/02/1994
Recruited from: Darwin
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-35 (GWS can sign through zone selection – likely)
Profile: Anderson is a really high level contested ball winner. During the 2011 U18 Champs was the best from NT and really displayed his talent as a bottom age player. Has some versatility to play through the midfield, up forward or down back. Skill level very good and decision making in congestion in particular stands out. Looks likely to go to GWS through a Zone Selection.
Why:
2012: (Ladder order predicted 2012)
#1 GWS- Lachlan Whitfield (VIC - Mid)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 18/07/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style: Ben Cousins
Player comparison:
Range: 1-3
Profile: The thing that makes Whitfield stand out is his work rate, he just never stops running and absolutely works his man into the ground consistently. Whitfield has absolutely crazy endurance and as a 17 year old makes mince meat of the beep test, can score 16 which for an AFL prospect is in the very top percentile. The other thing is his skill level by foot. Perfect left footer. Just that class above and always looks composed with ball in hand and is that class above. Has a real natural evasiveness and can pretty easily avoid tackles. Strong mark overhead on the lead and around the field. Speed good but not elite. Could add some more kicking penetration, probably only has a 40-45m kick on him at this stage but if he can add 10-15m onto that kick it will only increase his hurt factor. Also will need to eventually develop that inside game to go with his outside game which at this stage means he will likely jump into an outside role or perhaps off a back flank. Hopefully we’ll see some signs of a developing inside game season. Physically Whitfield has developed well over the past few years which suggest he still has allot of physical development ahead.
Why:
#2 Gold Coast- Jake Stringer (VIC - Util)
Height: 191cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 25/4/1994
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Style: Brendan Goddard
Player comparison:
Range: 1-10
Profile: Stringer is probably the best talent in the draft and had it not been for a broken leg this season I would probably have him at no.1. Comes from a basketball background. Hard worker. Has explosiveness, a great leap and is an incredibly high level athlete. Has great versatility and can play either end comfortably as well as through the midfield. Just one of those players who you can put anywhere and he will change the game and take over. Wins the hard ball consistently and is a very good inside player. Great ball user. Endurance good. Very strong mark overhead. Can hit the scoreboard hard when shifted forward. Star potential. Just needs to work hard to get his leg right and the rest will take care of himself if he continues to work hard and develop his game this year. Has great leadership potential and looks likely to be a guy who leads from the front at AFL level also.
Why:
#3 Port Adelaide- Nick Vlastuin (VIC - Mid)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 19/04/1994
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Style: Nathan Buckley (less athletic)
Player comparison:
Range: 2-15
Profile: Midfielder who consistently wins the contested footy and just consistently goes harder than the next player. Big time clearance player. Skill level is exceptional, uses it well by both hand and foot and rarely makes mistakes. Particularly stands out by foot and have nice penetration. Has also been noted for leadership and really leads by example out on the field so there is allot to like. Consistently plays to a high level. Athletically not as good as other likely high end midfield choices but is still a hard runner who will work all day and demonstrates great endurance and work rate. Tackles hard and willingly works both ways. Looks like a very low risk, solid pro who is worthy of a high draft position.
Why:
#4 Melbourne - Jack Viney (VIC - Mid) F/S
Height: 178cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 13/04/1994
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Style: Joel Selwood
Player comparison: Toby Greene
Range: 1st round
Profile: Really competitive and hard inside midfield. Could have joined an AFL club as a 17 year old and been a regular. Not a big fella, but purely and simply he is the hardest player I’ve seen coming through the system and his attack on the ball, attack on the man and aggression on the field is without equal and the big reason why he is such a dominant player already. Wins all the hard, contested ball and as a 17 year old was doing better than most of the 18 year olds who got drafted early, so Melbourne will get very lucky to have young Jack who I’m sure will very quickly become a Mark Neeld favourite. Tackling is excellent. Is a real leader out on the field and is someone who really leads by his actions and hardness at the footy. Really high character guy and hard worker who will put time into his game until he becomes elite. Jack has very clean hands and uses it well by hand consistently. Big time accumulator. Left foot kick, can use his right. Kicking is generally very good and will continue to get better. Speed is good, but not elite. The big strength athletically is his endurance which without seeing any of his testing I suspect would be very, very good because he has such a high work rate.
Why:
#5 Western Bull Dogs - Jimmy Toumpas (SA – Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 02/01/1994
Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens
Style:
Player comparison: Chad Wingard
Range: 2-15
Profile: Really damaging player with some versatility. Reminds me allot of Chad Wingard. Skill level excellent by both hand and foot, has that combination of hurt factor and clean ball use that will make him a big time weapon. Consistently good decision maker. Good athlete and has that combination of speed and agility. Also has shown very early on that he can lift for the big games which is I strongly believe is something that he will take with him to AFL level. Can play as a midfielder or a forward at that stage but I like Toumpas most as an outside mid/forward at this stage because he still physically needs to develop and continue to work on that inside game.
Why:
#6 North Melbourne - Josh Simpson (SA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 67kg, DOB: 09/02/1994
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 2-15
Profile: Simpson is a highly skilled football player and is really committed to his football which is a great sign. Very quick and uses that quickness well. Is not just a flashy outside player but also has the production to go with it which makes him such a highly rated prospect. Made the move from WA to SA in 2011 to further his football education and to get a spot in the U18 championships which turned out to be a great move consider he didn’t make the U16 champs for WA in 2010. Really stood out in the U18 champs in 2011 for SA and showed that he can really produce which is a great sign. Has a really natural skill set and is a very good user of the ball with that ability to use both sides and has that great balance to him. For someone still so lean his attack on the football is very encouraging. Really like what I’ve seen of Simpson so far and hopefully he continues his strong improvement again in 2012.
Why:
#7 Brisbane- Mason Shaw (WA – KPF/Ruck)
Height: 198cm, Weight: 92kg, DOB: 15/01/1994
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Style: Brad Ottens/Kurt Tippett
Player comparison: Jonathan Patton
Range: 2-20
Profile: Really strong marking key forward. Had a sensation 2011 season scoring 66 goals which is a great return for the young key forward. Has good accuracy from both general play and set shot attempts. Also Shaw is a serious big game player kicking 7 goals in the grand final which is a big return and shows potential to continue being a big game player into the future. Has played in the ruck but I most like Shaw as a key forward and see that as the position where he can impose himself on matches most as a big marking target.
Why:
#8 Richmond – Brodie Grundy (SA - Ruck)
Height: 200cm, Weight: 92kg, DOB: 15/04/1994
Recruited from: Sturt
Style:
Player comparison: Daniel Gorringe
Range: 2-15
Profile: Ruckman who has shown serious improvement over the past two years. Comes from a basketball background. Very athletic and has a huge leap, is already a high level tap ruckman. Consistently hits it to advantage and knows who’s at his feet. Strong mark overhead and can mark at the highest point but can miss some easier marks at times as well so in that regard needs to develop more consistency in his marking game. Has a huge work rate. Skill level not bad for a ruckman. Can close out games strongly when the game is on the line and has that extra gear which I view as a real selling point and an aspect of his game that he can continue at the next level. I’d like to see Grundy increase his contribution around the ground and get his hands on the ball more. Generally a good ball user for someone of his size so if he can become more of a ball winner, add that to his already very good ruckwork and we might have something. Another thing I like with Grundy is that he is really willing to improve and will work hard with coaches to make his game better so I think Grundy will fulfil his upside and continue on his swift improvement.
Why:
#9 St Kilda - Liam McBean (VIC – Ruck/KPF)
Height: 201cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 25/08/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style: Josh Fraser
Player comparison:
Range: 5-30
Profile: Ruckman who can also play forward to a high level. McBean is a really agile type who is excellent at ground level for a player of his size and has an excellent skill set and decision making ability for a tall. As a forward typically leads to the right spots and is a strong marking target. Additionally he is an above average set shot goal kicker which is another nice positive. Physically McBean has a fair way to go and I don’t ever expect him to develop into a super strong ruckman or key forward but I can certainly see him developing into a very capable AFL level footballer who could play either position to a high level.
Why:
#10 Essendon – Joe Daniher (VIC – KPF/Ruck) F/S
Height: 199cm, Weight: 90kg, DOB: 04/03/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style: Paul Salmon
Player comparison:
Range: 1st round
Profile: Tall who can play either up forward or in the ruck. Has a very strong contested mark which is the real standout feature of his game, his marking isn’t just good because he is taller than everyone else but because he has strong marking form and takes it at the highest point, one grab and judges it well in the air. Kicking technique very good for a tall and can hit the scoreboard for bags of goals already which is promising. As well as playing up forward Daniher can also play in the ruck. But with his strong contested marking game I most like Daniher as a key forward at this stage, even if he does still have more growth left in him, but considering Essendon didn’t take a ruckman in the 2011 draft, perhaps the plan is for Daniher to develop into the next generation ruckman – which is equally plausible. As a ruckman Daniher has demonstrated good tap work and seems to really compete well, in 2012 expect big ruck minutes which at his height is pretty much unavoidable regardless of how good they happen to be as key forwards. Daniher missed the 2011 season with a knee injury but with the way he dominated the 2010 season I see Daniher as one of the very best in of this year’s group and assuming he produces as expected a 1st round selection.
Why:
#11 Collingwood- Kristian Jaksch (VIC – KPD/KPF)
Height: 195cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 07/10/1994
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Style: Ben Reid
Player comparison:
Range: 10-30
Profile: Really promising key position player who can capably play forward or back to a high level. Really love the way his game has developed over the past few years and has continued to develop strongly from year to year. Very strong overhead mark and is a real contested marking threat around the ground. Has very strong hands. Reads the play to a very high level and reads the ball in the air well. Skill level above average for a key position player and is particularly impressive by foot. Athletically Jaksch is above average, has a solid leap but also moves really well with good pace and agility but he should develop into more of a power key defender or key forward with his strong marking game. Has the body type where he should capably continue to grow out strongly. I like Jaksch most as a key defender in a similar rebounding type role to what Ben Reid plays for Collingwood, has an incredibly similar game but he could capably develop into a key forward and in years gone past has shown that he can be a real marking presence and goal kicking force up forward.
Why:
#12 Adelaide - Ben Kennedy (SA –Fwd/ Mid)
Height: 174cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 03/03/1994
Recruited from: Glenelg
Style: Brent Harvey
Player comparison:
Range: 5-25
Profile: Very small midfielder, but he can play. Speed is elite and in the very top percentile. Has that pace but also uses it effectively and willingly takes on opposition players to effect. More than has the performances on the board and showed allot during the 2011 U18 championships. Kennedy is a big accumulator and can hit the scoreboard for a number of goals. Ball use generally very good. Has a neat left foot kick with nice penetration. Can win his own ball. Tackling very good but with his pace has the potential to be an elite tackler. Very ready to play and has shown this in the SANFL already which is a big positive. I’d like to see Kennedy play more of a regular midfield role this year to see what sort of numbers he can accumulate, I certainly think he is more than capable of making the transition. Kennedy has a big chance of doing what Dion Prestia and Devon Smith have done in recent years in getting drafted early despite lack of height and with Adelaide strongly considering Kennedy with that mini draft selection in 2011 last year expect him to be one a number of clubs will be looking at very closely with an early selection.
Why:
#13 Sydney - Sam Mayes (SA - Fwd)
Height: 187cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 20/05/1994
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 3-25
Profile: Leadup forward who really has the performances on the board. Mayes starred in the 2010 u18 championships and looks set for another dominant year. Has great pace and can really burst away from the trailing defender with ease. Marking ability very strong for a player of his size and his kicking also is very good. Has to this stage played mainly up forward and on occasions pushed up onto a wing but the expectation is that he plays more of a midfield role this year. I do have some questions on his game. If he continues to play as a medium forward (where to this stage he has probably played his best football) should he go this high? – because you can pretty easily get medium forwards later on in the draft and unlike with midfielders or key position players you don’t necessarily have to spend a high pick to get someone who can play this role. Mayes doesn’t look like he will be tall enough to play as a key forward, so his future hopefully for his draft stocks he can develop through the midfield. He seems to have the skill set to adapt to a midfield role so it’s just a case of wait and see what he can do this year, but even though he at this stage is one of the standout young prospects unless he can adapt to a role in the midfield I don’t see him going as high as some predict, though this is an incredibly speculative call and with a year of footy to be played before draft time I could be very wrong.
Why:
#14 Geelong – Tanner Smith (VIC – KPD)
Height: 194cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 09/03/1994
Recruited from: North Ballarat
Style: Eric McKenzie
Player comparison:
Range: 5-25
Profile: Best pure key defender of this year’s crop. Very good at limiting the impact of his direct opponent. Gets great spoil numbers. He has some variety in his game and has the ability to play off his man, hold his own one on one or zone off depending on what he needs to do for his team. Most of his touches come from intercept possessions or marks. Athletically Smith is above average and has the speed and endurance to go with most players. Physically still has some way to go so give him some time. Skills still developing and probably won’t ever be great, but from a shutdown perspective is as good as anyone and that is his big selling point in this draft and what he needs to take with his to the next level.
Why:
#15 Fremantle - Aaron Luccon (SA – KPF/Ruck)
Height: 195cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 21/04/1994
Recruited from: Norwood
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-40
Profile: Over the past few years Luccon has developed rapidly coming from a long way back and developing into a serious AFL prospect. He has play mostly through the ruck and also spent some time playing as a key forward to this stage. Has a strong mark on him and up forward is capable of taking big grabs. Kicking skills solid and has a really nice skill set for a big. Really look forward to seeing whether Luccon can take another step up this year.
Why:
#16 West Coast - Matthew Haynes (VIC - Util)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 19/03/1994
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Style:
Player comparison: Isaac Smith
Range: 3-25
Profile: Haynes is a really versatile line breaker. Really broke onto the scene in 2011 and for someone of his height, his pace is absolutely incredible! Just bursts and goes past everyone with ease and is incredibly difficult to run down. Also would be very interested to see his meters gained statistics because if you let him he would sprint the length of the field. I think he could become a very good back flanker at the next level but he does have the versatility to play on a wing or forward. The other strength with Haynes is his marking ability which is well above average. If he can add a few more weapons to his game he could be very good player at the next level. One area I’d like to see Haynes work on his decision making and kicking skills because he doesn’t always seem to go with the right option as often as he perhaps could and if he can refine this area to some extent it would only make him into more of a weapon. The other area that needs work is his contested ball winning ability which is very much in the formative stages, and while he will probably always be an outside player he still needs to develop this side to his game. Also work on his tackling game would go a long way to helping his draft stocks, more than has the pace on him so needs to really develop that side to his game to go with his offensive drive. But if he continues to improve his game as rapidly as he did in 2011, he could be a very high draft selection! My concern with Haynes is that while he has his weapons I’d like to see him develop a more complete game and become more of a substance player and produce greater numbers, because to me at this stage he projects as more of a role player who has a big weapon in his pace, but also to some degree a limited game which mostly relies on his offensive run and carry.
Why:
#17 Hawthorn- Lachlan Plowman (VIC - Def)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 11/09/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-35
Profile: Strong defender who stands out with his marking and ability to read the play down back. Is a really offensive minded key defender who provides great drive from the back half. Is unusually composed for a key defender and has a great skill level for a player of his type. Has really nice mobility and if he has the ball in general play he can avoid tackles as you’d see from smaller players which is an interesting aspect of Plowman’s game. Defensively Plowman can continue to get better but I really love his style of play with his really natural rebounding game down back which I hope he continues to develop because it is a really great strength to his game. My main concerns with Plowman are from a physical standpoint. Is on the short side for a key position player and I’m unsure how much growth he has left. Also physically while he isn’t nearly finished filling out I think he is someone who will physically develop earlier, but the downside of this is he has limited upside from a physical standpoint and won’t have that rapid development that some of the late bloomers get.
Why:
#18 Carlton- Troy Menzel (SA – Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 22/09/1994
Recruited from: Central District
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-35
Profile: Troy is the younger brother of Cat Daniel Menzel. There are differences in their play with Troy more of a midfielder but what is the same is that both can play and play to a very high level. Troy is a highly productive midfielder who stand out because of his awareness and decision making under pressure, is one of those players who is always composed. Skill level very good and by both hand and foot stands out. Athletically Troy is excellent with his combination of speed, agility and endurance which is very exciting. Even with this athleticism Troy doesn’t rely on it and is a really natural footballer rather than a pure athlete and because of this I see a strong future ahead of him at AFL level. One major concern I have with Troy that could see him slide is that he has had LARS. With Malceski and Rodan getting reinjured after LARS before Menzel while a high level talent in this draft comes with some serious injury risk.
Why:
#19 GWS- Jonothon O’Rourke (VIC - Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 21/04/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style:
Player comparison: Reece Conca
Range: 5-25
Profile: Missed most of the 2011 season with a hamstring injury so it will be interesting to see what he can produce in 2012. Very good all rounder who stands out because he uses the ball so well by both hand and foot consistently at a high efficiency. Is also a very good athlete and has good pace and a nice leap on him. Probably more of an outside player but is very capable as an insider, probably more of a receiver than a pure ball winner but is very good in congestion and has that great decision making ability which particularly shows in these situations which shows great potential for him later on as an inside player when he develops physically and becomes a more consistent inside ball winner.
Why:
#20 Gold Coast- Rory Atkins (VIC - Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 12/07/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style:
Player comparison: Patrick Dangerfield
Range: 10-35
Profile: Has a really nice attack on the ball. What makes him stand out is his decision making under pressure and his ball use in congestion, makes decisions quickly and makes the right ones consistently. Skill level high, good by foot and even better by hand. Can also go forward and have an impact. What Rory needs to do now is really improve his numbers this year, right now while he ticks many of the boxes he doesn’t get the numbers he probably should be accumulating and in this regard seems a little like Patrick Dangerfield where he just consistently follows and attacks the ball but might not get into the right position to receive the ball all the time which might be why his numbers aren’t as high as they could be. Also endurance doesn’t seem to be at the level it needs to be yet, but that can always be built up at AFL level and with the attributes he has there is the potential for him to develop into a very high level inside player with some time.
Why:
#21 Port Adelaide- Nathan Wright (VIC – Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 16/02/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 5-35
Profile:
Why:
#22 Melbourne- Corey Chalmers (WA - Mid)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 24/11/1994
Recruited from: West Perth Football Club
Style:
Player comparison: Luke Parker
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Very high production midfielder. Has been good for a number of years and continues to produce great numbers. Isn’t bigger than everyone but wins his ball by working harder than the next guy. Hard trainer and plays a good team game. Endurance and work rate excellent. Skills good. Looks like a real solid pick who might go under the radar some. Leadership skills are there and leads by his actions out on the field.
Why:
#23 Western Bull Dogs- Adam Carter (WA –Def/ Mid)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 17/04/1994
Recruited from: South Fremantle Football Club
Style:
Player comparison: Brandon Ellis
Range: 10-40
Profile: Carter while on the short side is not at all short on talent. Has the ability to play either through the midfield or down back. As a defender Carter can shut down the smaller forwards and provide strong rebound using his long kick with accuracy coming out of the back half. Carter through the midfield has solid ball winning ability and if he wins his own ball seems difficult to tackle and has very good core strength allowing him to stand up in those tackles. Athletically Carter is slightly above average but it isn’t a feature of his game as it might be with others.
Why:
#24 North Melbourne- Dayle Garlett (WA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 68kg, DOB: 09/01/1994
Recruited from: Swan Districts Football Club
Style:
Player comparison: Harley Bennell
Range: 5-rookie
Profile: Quality outside midfielder who can sneak forward and have an impact. Showed a fair bit of talent through the 2011 U18 champs. Has great pace and uses it well. Decision making excellent and even when pressured still makes the right decision most of the time. Left footer with some nice penetration on his kick. Can use his right boot and use it well. Skill level generally pretty good. Can really hit the scoreboard and be very damaging with the influence he can have on some games. Also when the ball hits the ground I like how he immediately has that quickness of mind and body to get to the ball quicker than everyone and quickly get the ball onto hit boot for a goal. I like it that despite his lack of size that he is still capable of winning his own ball. Dayle still needs to build more strength through the hips so that he can stand up in tackles, but there is a fair bit to like about his game. Also defensively can continue to get better to compliment his incredible offensive game. I’m hearing some real discipline issues which may see Garlett slide down the draft more than his talent deserves. Will be really interesting to see how clubs evaluate Garlett as he is an unbelievable talent, but the risk is there.
Why:
#25 Brisbane- Jason Pongracic (VIC - Mid)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 21/04/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-40
Profile:
Why:
#26 Richmond- Oliver Wines (VIC - Mid)
Height: 184cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 07/10/1994
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-35
Profile: Wines is a really good all rounder and a real footballer. Good ball user by both hand and foot and decision making ability also very good and chooses the right option with regularity. Excellent at reading the play and gets into the right positions. Wines is a really big ball winner and is one of the more ready to play prospects. He isn’t a standout athlete but his endurance is excellent and his work rate is a real selling point to his game. Wines is already very physically developed so possibly doesn’t have the upside of some of the other prospects but with Wines you have to like the way he goes about his football and with his work ethic I see him as a sure thing who can become a very productive player at the next level.
Why:
#27 St Kilda – Laine Wilkins (WA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 189cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 30/03/1994
Recruited from:
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-rookie
Profile: Outside running type player who can do some big damage. Wilkins is a running wingman with sensational pace and freak athleticism with a great leap on him. Has a very damaging skill set and can really hurt you when he gets his hands on the ball. When he rests forward he can often impact the scoreboard and do some damage. Really exciting player and one of those players who can really turn a game with some of the things he can do.
Why:
#28 Essendon- Christopher Yarran (WA – Fwd/Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 27/04/1994
Recruited from: Perth Football Club
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-rookie
Profile: Yarran at this stage has mostly as a forward but can also push up into the midfield. As a forward is a big time goal scorer. Has great goal sense. Speed and agility good but nothing like Carlton’s Yarran. Endurance needs allot of work if he wants to push up the ground or develop consistency to his game. Is very natural as a crumbing forward. Marking ability good for a player of his size. Can continue to work defensively to get better but with some work this can improve. Still a very highly talented player who will give you something special regardless of where you play him. I’d really like to see Yarran used of a back flank, with his athletic gifts I could see him developing more consistency and having a more regular influence on games in that role using his pace down back.
Why:
#29 Collingwood - James Stewart (VIC – KPF/KPD) F/S
Height: 195cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 04/03/1994
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Style: Ben Reid/Jack Watts
Player comparison:
Range: 1st/2nd round
Profile: Potential Collingwood Father Son selection. Still physically has a fair bit of development to come but the talent is there. Has played most of his footy either as a key forward or on a wing to this stage but also looks very capable as a key defender. Skill level excellent for a key position player and as good as a midfielder in this regard, by foot particularly good – duel sided, can find targets with regularity over a variety of distances. When he has ball is hand shows great poise and can easily spin out of tackles, never really looking phased when pressured. Athleticism impressive and for someone at his height and is incredibly mobile for a tall. Willing tackler and will give those 2nd and 3rd efforts. What impresses me is his ability to read the play and read the ball in the air, it’s a real feature of his game. Strong mark overhead but I don’t see him ever becoming a dominant marking presence in the way a Travis Cloke is. At this stage plays as a forward in a similar manor to Melbourne’s Jack Watts as that high forward flanker who mostly leads up the ground, but as a key defender he looks really solid and plays a similar game to Ben Reid with his ability to read the play.
Why:
#30 Adelaide- Matthew McDonough (SA - Fwd)
Height: 180cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 26/01/1994
Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens
Style: Stewart Dew
Player comparison: Jason Porplyzia
Range: 20-rookie
Profile: Forward who is physically very strongly built and ready to produce. Has already shown that he can kick big goal hauls. Really like his kicking, very duel sided and has that great goal sense and some nice penetration. Also like his marking ability, for his size very strong contested mark and with his marking game plays taller than his height. Where McDonough falls short is his lack of athleticism. Speed not great and endurance a long way off where it needs to get to. As a forward also needs to work on his tackling game. This year if McDonough can work on his endurance I’d be really interested to find out his capabilities through the midfield, has the ball winning ability to play there for periods so it would be interesting to see what type of influence he can have with his stronger body.
Why:
#31 Sydney- Nic Amato (SA – Mid)
Height: 177cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 15/10/1994
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Style: Leigh Montagna
Player comparison:
Range: 15-45
Profile: If on the short side for a midfielder but is a guy who is already producing to a high level. During the 2011 U18 champs really showed some great signs racking up big numbers while doing a great job at limiting his direct opponents. Amato is an outside midfield with excellent endurance and work rate. Has some ball winning ability and isn’t that purely outside guy. At lower levels Amato has also played to a high level getting some big disposal numbers.
Why:
#32 Geelong – Emmanuel Irra (SA – Mid/Util)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 25/03/1994
Recruited from: South Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 20-rookie
Profile: Irra has incredible speed and evasiveness. Kicking skills excellent for someone who hasn’t played all his life – very duel sided, penetration good and can make high difficulty kicks look easy at times. Decision making very good. Still has allot of work to do and is still a reasonably raw product, but if he continues to show improvement and increase his production I see no reason why Irra can’t get drafted. Also needs to develop some more consistency in his game – one game he can be one of the better players the next can go missing, so really needs to build his endurance and get some sort of routine together that works for him to play to a more consistently high level.
Why:
#33 Fremantle – Brodie Murdoch (SA – Fwd/KPF)
Height: 191cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 21/01/1994
Recruited from: Glenelg
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Murdoch is a slightly undersized key forward who might need to settle into more of a 3rd tall leading role which he is probably more suited to at the next level. At U18 level gets impressive mark totals, but at senior level I suspect this might dry up because with zones it is allot harder for these leading type forwards to have a great impact. For a tall I really like Murdoch’s kicking and has a really nice left foot on him. Physically Murdoch still has a fair way to go and I expect he has a fair bit of development left which is positive, so if Murdoch can grow those couple more cm he could be a legit draft prospect.
Why:
#34 West Coast – Shannon Taylor (WA –Fwd/ Mid)
Height: 177cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 05/02/1994
Recruited from: Claremont Football Club
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Taylor is an absolute speedster with unbelievable pace and agility. At the 2011 draft combine managed the best times for the 10m, 20m sprints, repeat sprints and agility. But at this stage Taylor outside of his athleticism still has an incomplete game. Tackling game is solid but has the potential to be elite in this area of his game. Is a very clean ball user and has hurt factor. Physically still has a long way to go. The big thing Taylor needs to work on is his endurance which has a long way to go if he wants midfield minutes at any stage. At this stage I see Taylor as more of a small forward but he does have the potential to play higher up the ground or possibly on a wing when he develops his endurance.
Why:
#35 Hawthorn - Todd McKay (SA - Mid)
Height: 177cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 25/01/1994
Recruited from: South Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: McKay is small but strong inside ball winner. Has a very strong attack on the footy and is a serious inside ball winner. As a smaller more ready to go midfielder it will be interesting to watch where McKay goes. Has a big potential range but even though on the short side for the modern day midfielder there is a fair bit to like about his game which suggests he is a legit draft prospect. McKay has some big weapons at his disposal in his long kick and pace so there is more to him than just his inside ball winning ability which is up there with the best in this year’s crop. The thing I’d like to see McKay improve this year is his production. He has the attributes to get drafted so if he can further increase his production this year he is every chance to be drafted earlier rather than later.
Why:
#36 Carlton - Anthony Bonaddio (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 176cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 06/01/1994
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Really like what Bonaddio can do. High production midfielder who has been good for some time. Big time ball winner through the midfield. Can win his own ball while also getting some outside ball. Has great pace and if given time and space can hurt you. Skill level exceptionally high and has big hurt factor by foot with the penetration he has on his kick. When he sneaks forward is very much a goal scoring threat.
Why:
------------------Potential A-Graders--------------------
1. Jake Stringer
2. Lachlan Whitfield
3. Jaeger O’Meara (GC – 17 Y/O)
4. Jack Viney (Melb – F/S)
5. Nick Vlastuin
6. Brad Crouch (Adel – 17 Y/O)
7. Brodie Grundy
8. Joe Daniher (Ess – F/S)
9. Jimmy Toumpas
10. Mason Shaw
------------------Potentially high level AFL players--------------------
11. Kristian Jaksch
12. James Stewart (Coll – F/S)
13. Craig Moller (Freo – NSW/ACT)
14. Josh Simpson
15. Liam Mcbean
16. Sam Mayes
17. Adam Carter
18. Jonothon O’Rourke
19. Rory Atkins
20. Oliver Wines
21. Corey Chalmers
22. Jason Pongracic
23. Tanner Smith
24. Aaron Luccon
25. Lachlan Plowman
26. Jed Anderson (GWS – likely NT Zone)
27. Troy Menzel
28. Ben Kennedy
29. Laine Wilkins
30. Anthony Bonaddio
31. Emmanuel Irra
32. Nathan Wright
33. Nic Amato
34. Dayle Garlett
35. Matthew Haynes
----------------Potential AFL Quality-----------------
36. Christopher Yarran
37. Shannon Taylor
38. Matthew McDonough
39. Tim Membrey
40. Lachie Hunter (WBD – F/S)
Minidraft (2011):
#1 Gold Coast - Jaeger O’Meara (WA - Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 23/02/1994
Recruited from: Perth Football Club
Style: Gary Ablett
Player comparison:
Range (2012): 1-2
Profile: Has absolutely elite speed – 2.80 of 20m. Endurance is incredibly high – 14+ beep test. Really looks like a sensational athlete already and has huge AFL potential. He makes good use of his speed and can take players on like few others and reminds you so much of a Judd or Ablett with the way he can go. Has that rare vision and awareness to go with it. Big time clearance player. Probably more outside than inside at this stage. Overhead marking good. Gets high tackling numbers. Decision making can be iffy at times, but improving. Can kick both feet incredibly well but could certainly work on consistent by foot and hit targets and finish more consistently, certainly not as polished as Whitfield yet but is well on his way but when his kicking is on can hit at will and kicks it like homing missiles which gives me confidence that this aspect of his game will improve and develop that consistency. Also would like to see him hit the scoreboard more. But everything he can do and already does suggests that he will go on to be a special player.
Why:
#2 Adelaide - Brad Crouch (VIC - Mid)
Height: 184cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 12/01/1994
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels
Style:
Player comparison: Luke Ball
Range (2012): 3-5
Profile: Really strong inside player. Could play AFL footy now. Very ready to go. Physically is ready. Has a complete game. Really hard worker and will never die wondering. Future captain material. Ball use very good and is good by both hand and foot. Speed good. Very low risk guy where you know what you’ve got, and you know he will succeed in a big way at the next level.
Why:
GWS - NT Zone:
Jed Anderson (NT – Mid/Util)
Height: 178cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 16/02/1994
Recruited from: Darwin
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-35 (GWS can sign through zone selection – likely)
Profile: Anderson is a really high level contested ball winner. During the 2011 U18 Champs was the best from NT and really displayed his talent as a bottom age player. Has some versatility to play through the midfield, up forward or down back. Skill level very good and decision making in congestion in particular stands out. Looks likely to go to GWS through a Zone Selection.
Why:
2012: (Ladder order predicted 2012)
#1 GWS- Lachlan Whitfield (VIC - Mid)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 18/07/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style: Ben Cousins
Player comparison:
Range: 1-3
Profile: The thing that makes Whitfield stand out is his work rate, he just never stops running and absolutely works his man into the ground consistently. Whitfield has absolutely crazy endurance and as a 17 year old makes mince meat of the beep test, can score 16 which for an AFL prospect is in the very top percentile. The other thing is his skill level by foot. Perfect left footer. Just that class above and always looks composed with ball in hand and is that class above. Has a real natural evasiveness and can pretty easily avoid tackles. Strong mark overhead on the lead and around the field. Speed good but not elite. Could add some more kicking penetration, probably only has a 40-45m kick on him at this stage but if he can add 10-15m onto that kick it will only increase his hurt factor. Also will need to eventually develop that inside game to go with his outside game which at this stage means he will likely jump into an outside role or perhaps off a back flank. Hopefully we’ll see some signs of a developing inside game season. Physically Whitfield has developed well over the past few years which suggest he still has allot of physical development ahead.
Why:
#2 Gold Coast- Jake Stringer (VIC - Util)
Height: 191cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 25/4/1994
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Style: Brendan Goddard
Player comparison:
Range: 1-10
Profile: Stringer is probably the best talent in the draft and had it not been for a broken leg this season I would probably have him at no.1. Comes from a basketball background. Hard worker. Has explosiveness, a great leap and is an incredibly high level athlete. Has great versatility and can play either end comfortably as well as through the midfield. Just one of those players who you can put anywhere and he will change the game and take over. Wins the hard ball consistently and is a very good inside player. Great ball user. Endurance good. Very strong mark overhead. Can hit the scoreboard hard when shifted forward. Star potential. Just needs to work hard to get his leg right and the rest will take care of himself if he continues to work hard and develop his game this year. Has great leadership potential and looks likely to be a guy who leads from the front at AFL level also.
Why:
#3 Port Adelaide- Nick Vlastuin (VIC - Mid)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 19/04/1994
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Style: Nathan Buckley (less athletic)
Player comparison:
Range: 2-15
Profile: Midfielder who consistently wins the contested footy and just consistently goes harder than the next player. Big time clearance player. Skill level is exceptional, uses it well by both hand and foot and rarely makes mistakes. Particularly stands out by foot and have nice penetration. Has also been noted for leadership and really leads by example out on the field so there is allot to like. Consistently plays to a high level. Athletically not as good as other likely high end midfield choices but is still a hard runner who will work all day and demonstrates great endurance and work rate. Tackles hard and willingly works both ways. Looks like a very low risk, solid pro who is worthy of a high draft position.
Why:
#4 Melbourne - Jack Viney (VIC - Mid) F/S
Height: 178cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 13/04/1994
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Style: Joel Selwood
Player comparison: Toby Greene
Range: 1st round
Profile: Really competitive and hard inside midfield. Could have joined an AFL club as a 17 year old and been a regular. Not a big fella, but purely and simply he is the hardest player I’ve seen coming through the system and his attack on the ball, attack on the man and aggression on the field is without equal and the big reason why he is such a dominant player already. Wins all the hard, contested ball and as a 17 year old was doing better than most of the 18 year olds who got drafted early, so Melbourne will get very lucky to have young Jack who I’m sure will very quickly become a Mark Neeld favourite. Tackling is excellent. Is a real leader out on the field and is someone who really leads by his actions and hardness at the footy. Really high character guy and hard worker who will put time into his game until he becomes elite. Jack has very clean hands and uses it well by hand consistently. Big time accumulator. Left foot kick, can use his right. Kicking is generally very good and will continue to get better. Speed is good, but not elite. The big strength athletically is his endurance which without seeing any of his testing I suspect would be very, very good because he has such a high work rate.
Why:
#5 Western Bull Dogs - Jimmy Toumpas (SA – Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 02/01/1994
Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens
Style:
Player comparison: Chad Wingard
Range: 2-15
Profile: Really damaging player with some versatility. Reminds me allot of Chad Wingard. Skill level excellent by both hand and foot, has that combination of hurt factor and clean ball use that will make him a big time weapon. Consistently good decision maker. Good athlete and has that combination of speed and agility. Also has shown very early on that he can lift for the big games which is I strongly believe is something that he will take with him to AFL level. Can play as a midfielder or a forward at that stage but I like Toumpas most as an outside mid/forward at this stage because he still physically needs to develop and continue to work on that inside game.
Why:
#6 North Melbourne - Josh Simpson (SA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 67kg, DOB: 09/02/1994
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 2-15
Profile: Simpson is a highly skilled football player and is really committed to his football which is a great sign. Very quick and uses that quickness well. Is not just a flashy outside player but also has the production to go with it which makes him such a highly rated prospect. Made the move from WA to SA in 2011 to further his football education and to get a spot in the U18 championships which turned out to be a great move consider he didn’t make the U16 champs for WA in 2010. Really stood out in the U18 champs in 2011 for SA and showed that he can really produce which is a great sign. Has a really natural skill set and is a very good user of the ball with that ability to use both sides and has that great balance to him. For someone still so lean his attack on the football is very encouraging. Really like what I’ve seen of Simpson so far and hopefully he continues his strong improvement again in 2012.
Why:
#7 Brisbane- Mason Shaw (WA – KPF/Ruck)
Height: 198cm, Weight: 92kg, DOB: 15/01/1994
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Style: Brad Ottens/Kurt Tippett
Player comparison: Jonathan Patton
Range: 2-20
Profile: Really strong marking key forward. Had a sensation 2011 season scoring 66 goals which is a great return for the young key forward. Has good accuracy from both general play and set shot attempts. Also Shaw is a serious big game player kicking 7 goals in the grand final which is a big return and shows potential to continue being a big game player into the future. Has played in the ruck but I most like Shaw as a key forward and see that as the position where he can impose himself on matches most as a big marking target.
Why:
#8 Richmond – Brodie Grundy (SA - Ruck)
Height: 200cm, Weight: 92kg, DOB: 15/04/1994
Recruited from: Sturt
Style:
Player comparison: Daniel Gorringe
Range: 2-15
Profile: Ruckman who has shown serious improvement over the past two years. Comes from a basketball background. Very athletic and has a huge leap, is already a high level tap ruckman. Consistently hits it to advantage and knows who’s at his feet. Strong mark overhead and can mark at the highest point but can miss some easier marks at times as well so in that regard needs to develop more consistency in his marking game. Has a huge work rate. Skill level not bad for a ruckman. Can close out games strongly when the game is on the line and has that extra gear which I view as a real selling point and an aspect of his game that he can continue at the next level. I’d like to see Grundy increase his contribution around the ground and get his hands on the ball more. Generally a good ball user for someone of his size so if he can become more of a ball winner, add that to his already very good ruckwork and we might have something. Another thing I like with Grundy is that he is really willing to improve and will work hard with coaches to make his game better so I think Grundy will fulfil his upside and continue on his swift improvement.
Why:
#9 St Kilda - Liam McBean (VIC – Ruck/KPF)
Height: 201cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 25/08/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style: Josh Fraser
Player comparison:
Range: 5-30
Profile: Ruckman who can also play forward to a high level. McBean is a really agile type who is excellent at ground level for a player of his size and has an excellent skill set and decision making ability for a tall. As a forward typically leads to the right spots and is a strong marking target. Additionally he is an above average set shot goal kicker which is another nice positive. Physically McBean has a fair way to go and I don’t ever expect him to develop into a super strong ruckman or key forward but I can certainly see him developing into a very capable AFL level footballer who could play either position to a high level.
Why:
#10 Essendon – Joe Daniher (VIC – KPF/Ruck) F/S
Height: 199cm, Weight: 90kg, DOB: 04/03/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style: Paul Salmon
Player comparison:
Range: 1st round
Profile: Tall who can play either up forward or in the ruck. Has a very strong contested mark which is the real standout feature of his game, his marking isn’t just good because he is taller than everyone else but because he has strong marking form and takes it at the highest point, one grab and judges it well in the air. Kicking technique very good for a tall and can hit the scoreboard for bags of goals already which is promising. As well as playing up forward Daniher can also play in the ruck. But with his strong contested marking game I most like Daniher as a key forward at this stage, even if he does still have more growth left in him, but considering Essendon didn’t take a ruckman in the 2011 draft, perhaps the plan is for Daniher to develop into the next generation ruckman – which is equally plausible. As a ruckman Daniher has demonstrated good tap work and seems to really compete well, in 2012 expect big ruck minutes which at his height is pretty much unavoidable regardless of how good they happen to be as key forwards. Daniher missed the 2011 season with a knee injury but with the way he dominated the 2010 season I see Daniher as one of the very best in of this year’s group and assuming he produces as expected a 1st round selection.
Why:
#11 Collingwood- Kristian Jaksch (VIC – KPD/KPF)
Height: 195cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 07/10/1994
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Style: Ben Reid
Player comparison:
Range: 10-30
Profile: Really promising key position player who can capably play forward or back to a high level. Really love the way his game has developed over the past few years and has continued to develop strongly from year to year. Very strong overhead mark and is a real contested marking threat around the ground. Has very strong hands. Reads the play to a very high level and reads the ball in the air well. Skill level above average for a key position player and is particularly impressive by foot. Athletically Jaksch is above average, has a solid leap but also moves really well with good pace and agility but he should develop into more of a power key defender or key forward with his strong marking game. Has the body type where he should capably continue to grow out strongly. I like Jaksch most as a key defender in a similar rebounding type role to what Ben Reid plays for Collingwood, has an incredibly similar game but he could capably develop into a key forward and in years gone past has shown that he can be a real marking presence and goal kicking force up forward.
Why:
#12 Adelaide - Ben Kennedy (SA –Fwd/ Mid)
Height: 174cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 03/03/1994
Recruited from: Glenelg
Style: Brent Harvey
Player comparison:
Range: 5-25
Profile: Very small midfielder, but he can play. Speed is elite and in the very top percentile. Has that pace but also uses it effectively and willingly takes on opposition players to effect. More than has the performances on the board and showed allot during the 2011 U18 championships. Kennedy is a big accumulator and can hit the scoreboard for a number of goals. Ball use generally very good. Has a neat left foot kick with nice penetration. Can win his own ball. Tackling very good but with his pace has the potential to be an elite tackler. Very ready to play and has shown this in the SANFL already which is a big positive. I’d like to see Kennedy play more of a regular midfield role this year to see what sort of numbers he can accumulate, I certainly think he is more than capable of making the transition. Kennedy has a big chance of doing what Dion Prestia and Devon Smith have done in recent years in getting drafted early despite lack of height and with Adelaide strongly considering Kennedy with that mini draft selection in 2011 last year expect him to be one a number of clubs will be looking at very closely with an early selection.
Why:
#13 Sydney - Sam Mayes (SA - Fwd)
Height: 187cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 20/05/1994
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 3-25
Profile: Leadup forward who really has the performances on the board. Mayes starred in the 2010 u18 championships and looks set for another dominant year. Has great pace and can really burst away from the trailing defender with ease. Marking ability very strong for a player of his size and his kicking also is very good. Has to this stage played mainly up forward and on occasions pushed up onto a wing but the expectation is that he plays more of a midfield role this year. I do have some questions on his game. If he continues to play as a medium forward (where to this stage he has probably played his best football) should he go this high? – because you can pretty easily get medium forwards later on in the draft and unlike with midfielders or key position players you don’t necessarily have to spend a high pick to get someone who can play this role. Mayes doesn’t look like he will be tall enough to play as a key forward, so his future hopefully for his draft stocks he can develop through the midfield. He seems to have the skill set to adapt to a midfield role so it’s just a case of wait and see what he can do this year, but even though he at this stage is one of the standout young prospects unless he can adapt to a role in the midfield I don’t see him going as high as some predict, though this is an incredibly speculative call and with a year of footy to be played before draft time I could be very wrong.
Why:
#14 Geelong – Tanner Smith (VIC – KPD)
Height: 194cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 09/03/1994
Recruited from: North Ballarat
Style: Eric McKenzie
Player comparison:
Range: 5-25
Profile: Best pure key defender of this year’s crop. Very good at limiting the impact of his direct opponent. Gets great spoil numbers. He has some variety in his game and has the ability to play off his man, hold his own one on one or zone off depending on what he needs to do for his team. Most of his touches come from intercept possessions or marks. Athletically Smith is above average and has the speed and endurance to go with most players. Physically still has some way to go so give him some time. Skills still developing and probably won’t ever be great, but from a shutdown perspective is as good as anyone and that is his big selling point in this draft and what he needs to take with his to the next level.
Why:
#15 Fremantle - Aaron Luccon (SA – KPF/Ruck)
Height: 195cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 21/04/1994
Recruited from: Norwood
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-40
Profile: Over the past few years Luccon has developed rapidly coming from a long way back and developing into a serious AFL prospect. He has play mostly through the ruck and also spent some time playing as a key forward to this stage. Has a strong mark on him and up forward is capable of taking big grabs. Kicking skills solid and has a really nice skill set for a big. Really look forward to seeing whether Luccon can take another step up this year.
Why:
#16 West Coast - Matthew Haynes (VIC - Util)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 19/03/1994
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Style:
Player comparison: Isaac Smith
Range: 3-25
Profile: Haynes is a really versatile line breaker. Really broke onto the scene in 2011 and for someone of his height, his pace is absolutely incredible! Just bursts and goes past everyone with ease and is incredibly difficult to run down. Also would be very interested to see his meters gained statistics because if you let him he would sprint the length of the field. I think he could become a very good back flanker at the next level but he does have the versatility to play on a wing or forward. The other strength with Haynes is his marking ability which is well above average. If he can add a few more weapons to his game he could be very good player at the next level. One area I’d like to see Haynes work on his decision making and kicking skills because he doesn’t always seem to go with the right option as often as he perhaps could and if he can refine this area to some extent it would only make him into more of a weapon. The other area that needs work is his contested ball winning ability which is very much in the formative stages, and while he will probably always be an outside player he still needs to develop this side to his game. Also work on his tackling game would go a long way to helping his draft stocks, more than has the pace on him so needs to really develop that side to his game to go with his offensive drive. But if he continues to improve his game as rapidly as he did in 2011, he could be a very high draft selection! My concern with Haynes is that while he has his weapons I’d like to see him develop a more complete game and become more of a substance player and produce greater numbers, because to me at this stage he projects as more of a role player who has a big weapon in his pace, but also to some degree a limited game which mostly relies on his offensive run and carry.
Why:
#17 Hawthorn- Lachlan Plowman (VIC - Def)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 11/09/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-35
Profile: Strong defender who stands out with his marking and ability to read the play down back. Is a really offensive minded key defender who provides great drive from the back half. Is unusually composed for a key defender and has a great skill level for a player of his type. Has really nice mobility and if he has the ball in general play he can avoid tackles as you’d see from smaller players which is an interesting aspect of Plowman’s game. Defensively Plowman can continue to get better but I really love his style of play with his really natural rebounding game down back which I hope he continues to develop because it is a really great strength to his game. My main concerns with Plowman are from a physical standpoint. Is on the short side for a key position player and I’m unsure how much growth he has left. Also physically while he isn’t nearly finished filling out I think he is someone who will physically develop earlier, but the downside of this is he has limited upside from a physical standpoint and won’t have that rapid development that some of the late bloomers get.
Why:
#18 Carlton- Troy Menzel (SA – Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 22/09/1994
Recruited from: Central District
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-35
Profile: Troy is the younger brother of Cat Daniel Menzel. There are differences in their play with Troy more of a midfielder but what is the same is that both can play and play to a very high level. Troy is a highly productive midfielder who stand out because of his awareness and decision making under pressure, is one of those players who is always composed. Skill level very good and by both hand and foot stands out. Athletically Troy is excellent with his combination of speed, agility and endurance which is very exciting. Even with this athleticism Troy doesn’t rely on it and is a really natural footballer rather than a pure athlete and because of this I see a strong future ahead of him at AFL level. One major concern I have with Troy that could see him slide is that he has had LARS. With Malceski and Rodan getting reinjured after LARS before Menzel while a high level talent in this draft comes with some serious injury risk.
Why:
#19 GWS- Jonothon O’Rourke (VIC - Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 21/04/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style:
Player comparison: Reece Conca
Range: 5-25
Profile: Missed most of the 2011 season with a hamstring injury so it will be interesting to see what he can produce in 2012. Very good all rounder who stands out because he uses the ball so well by both hand and foot consistently at a high efficiency. Is also a very good athlete and has good pace and a nice leap on him. Probably more of an outside player but is very capable as an insider, probably more of a receiver than a pure ball winner but is very good in congestion and has that great decision making ability which particularly shows in these situations which shows great potential for him later on as an inside player when he develops physically and becomes a more consistent inside ball winner.
Why:
#20 Gold Coast- Rory Atkins (VIC - Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 12/07/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style:
Player comparison: Patrick Dangerfield
Range: 10-35
Profile: Has a really nice attack on the ball. What makes him stand out is his decision making under pressure and his ball use in congestion, makes decisions quickly and makes the right ones consistently. Skill level high, good by foot and even better by hand. Can also go forward and have an impact. What Rory needs to do now is really improve his numbers this year, right now while he ticks many of the boxes he doesn’t get the numbers he probably should be accumulating and in this regard seems a little like Patrick Dangerfield where he just consistently follows and attacks the ball but might not get into the right position to receive the ball all the time which might be why his numbers aren’t as high as they could be. Also endurance doesn’t seem to be at the level it needs to be yet, but that can always be built up at AFL level and with the attributes he has there is the potential for him to develop into a very high level inside player with some time.
Why:
#21 Port Adelaide- Nathan Wright (VIC – Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 16/02/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 5-35
Profile:
Why:
#22 Melbourne- Corey Chalmers (WA - Mid)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 24/11/1994
Recruited from: West Perth Football Club
Style:
Player comparison: Luke Parker
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Very high production midfielder. Has been good for a number of years and continues to produce great numbers. Isn’t bigger than everyone but wins his ball by working harder than the next guy. Hard trainer and plays a good team game. Endurance and work rate excellent. Skills good. Looks like a real solid pick who might go under the radar some. Leadership skills are there and leads by his actions out on the field.
Why:
#23 Western Bull Dogs- Adam Carter (WA –Def/ Mid)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 17/04/1994
Recruited from: South Fremantle Football Club
Style:
Player comparison: Brandon Ellis
Range: 10-40
Profile: Carter while on the short side is not at all short on talent. Has the ability to play either through the midfield or down back. As a defender Carter can shut down the smaller forwards and provide strong rebound using his long kick with accuracy coming out of the back half. Carter through the midfield has solid ball winning ability and if he wins his own ball seems difficult to tackle and has very good core strength allowing him to stand up in those tackles. Athletically Carter is slightly above average but it isn’t a feature of his game as it might be with others.
Why:
#24 North Melbourne- Dayle Garlett (WA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 68kg, DOB: 09/01/1994
Recruited from: Swan Districts Football Club
Style:
Player comparison: Harley Bennell
Range: 5-rookie
Profile: Quality outside midfielder who can sneak forward and have an impact. Showed a fair bit of talent through the 2011 U18 champs. Has great pace and uses it well. Decision making excellent and even when pressured still makes the right decision most of the time. Left footer with some nice penetration on his kick. Can use his right boot and use it well. Skill level generally pretty good. Can really hit the scoreboard and be very damaging with the influence he can have on some games. Also when the ball hits the ground I like how he immediately has that quickness of mind and body to get to the ball quicker than everyone and quickly get the ball onto hit boot for a goal. I like it that despite his lack of size that he is still capable of winning his own ball. Dayle still needs to build more strength through the hips so that he can stand up in tackles, but there is a fair bit to like about his game. Also defensively can continue to get better to compliment his incredible offensive game. I’m hearing some real discipline issues which may see Garlett slide down the draft more than his talent deserves. Will be really interesting to see how clubs evaluate Garlett as he is an unbelievable talent, but the risk is there.
Why:
#25 Brisbane- Jason Pongracic (VIC - Mid)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 21/04/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-40
Profile:
Why:
#26 Richmond- Oliver Wines (VIC - Mid)
Height: 184cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 07/10/1994
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-35
Profile: Wines is a really good all rounder and a real footballer. Good ball user by both hand and foot and decision making ability also very good and chooses the right option with regularity. Excellent at reading the play and gets into the right positions. Wines is a really big ball winner and is one of the more ready to play prospects. He isn’t a standout athlete but his endurance is excellent and his work rate is a real selling point to his game. Wines is already very physically developed so possibly doesn’t have the upside of some of the other prospects but with Wines you have to like the way he goes about his football and with his work ethic I see him as a sure thing who can become a very productive player at the next level.
Why:
#27 St Kilda – Laine Wilkins (WA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 189cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 30/03/1994
Recruited from:
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-rookie
Profile: Outside running type player who can do some big damage. Wilkins is a running wingman with sensational pace and freak athleticism with a great leap on him. Has a very damaging skill set and can really hurt you when he gets his hands on the ball. When he rests forward he can often impact the scoreboard and do some damage. Really exciting player and one of those players who can really turn a game with some of the things he can do.
Why:
#28 Essendon- Christopher Yarran (WA – Fwd/Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 27/04/1994
Recruited from: Perth Football Club
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 10-rookie
Profile: Yarran at this stage has mostly as a forward but can also push up into the midfield. As a forward is a big time goal scorer. Has great goal sense. Speed and agility good but nothing like Carlton’s Yarran. Endurance needs allot of work if he wants to push up the ground or develop consistency to his game. Is very natural as a crumbing forward. Marking ability good for a player of his size. Can continue to work defensively to get better but with some work this can improve. Still a very highly talented player who will give you something special regardless of where you play him. I’d really like to see Yarran used of a back flank, with his athletic gifts I could see him developing more consistency and having a more regular influence on games in that role using his pace down back.
Why:
#29 Collingwood - James Stewart (VIC – KPF/KPD) F/S
Height: 195cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 04/03/1994
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Style: Ben Reid/Jack Watts
Player comparison:
Range: 1st/2nd round
Profile: Potential Collingwood Father Son selection. Still physically has a fair bit of development to come but the talent is there. Has played most of his footy either as a key forward or on a wing to this stage but also looks very capable as a key defender. Skill level excellent for a key position player and as good as a midfielder in this regard, by foot particularly good – duel sided, can find targets with regularity over a variety of distances. When he has ball is hand shows great poise and can easily spin out of tackles, never really looking phased when pressured. Athleticism impressive and for someone at his height and is incredibly mobile for a tall. Willing tackler and will give those 2nd and 3rd efforts. What impresses me is his ability to read the play and read the ball in the air, it’s a real feature of his game. Strong mark overhead but I don’t see him ever becoming a dominant marking presence in the way a Travis Cloke is. At this stage plays as a forward in a similar manor to Melbourne’s Jack Watts as that high forward flanker who mostly leads up the ground, but as a key defender he looks really solid and plays a similar game to Ben Reid with his ability to read the play.
Why:
#30 Adelaide- Matthew McDonough (SA - Fwd)
Height: 180cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 26/01/1994
Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens
Style: Stewart Dew
Player comparison: Jason Porplyzia
Range: 20-rookie
Profile: Forward who is physically very strongly built and ready to produce. Has already shown that he can kick big goal hauls. Really like his kicking, very duel sided and has that great goal sense and some nice penetration. Also like his marking ability, for his size very strong contested mark and with his marking game plays taller than his height. Where McDonough falls short is his lack of athleticism. Speed not great and endurance a long way off where it needs to get to. As a forward also needs to work on his tackling game. This year if McDonough can work on his endurance I’d be really interested to find out his capabilities through the midfield, has the ball winning ability to play there for periods so it would be interesting to see what type of influence he can have with his stronger body.
Why:
#31 Sydney- Nic Amato (SA – Mid)
Height: 177cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 15/10/1994
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Style: Leigh Montagna
Player comparison:
Range: 15-45
Profile: If on the short side for a midfielder but is a guy who is already producing to a high level. During the 2011 U18 champs really showed some great signs racking up big numbers while doing a great job at limiting his direct opponents. Amato is an outside midfield with excellent endurance and work rate. Has some ball winning ability and isn’t that purely outside guy. At lower levels Amato has also played to a high level getting some big disposal numbers.
Why:
#32 Geelong – Emmanuel Irra (SA – Mid/Util)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 25/03/1994
Recruited from: South Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 20-rookie
Profile: Irra has incredible speed and evasiveness. Kicking skills excellent for someone who hasn’t played all his life – very duel sided, penetration good and can make high difficulty kicks look easy at times. Decision making very good. Still has allot of work to do and is still a reasonably raw product, but if he continues to show improvement and increase his production I see no reason why Irra can’t get drafted. Also needs to develop some more consistency in his game – one game he can be one of the better players the next can go missing, so really needs to build his endurance and get some sort of routine together that works for him to play to a more consistently high level.
Why:
#33 Fremantle – Brodie Murdoch (SA – Fwd/KPF)
Height: 191cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 21/01/1994
Recruited from: Glenelg
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Murdoch is a slightly undersized key forward who might need to settle into more of a 3rd tall leading role which he is probably more suited to at the next level. At U18 level gets impressive mark totals, but at senior level I suspect this might dry up because with zones it is allot harder for these leading type forwards to have a great impact. For a tall I really like Murdoch’s kicking and has a really nice left foot on him. Physically Murdoch still has a fair way to go and I expect he has a fair bit of development left which is positive, so if Murdoch can grow those couple more cm he could be a legit draft prospect.
Why:
#34 West Coast – Shannon Taylor (WA –Fwd/ Mid)
Height: 177cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 05/02/1994
Recruited from: Claremont Football Club
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Taylor is an absolute speedster with unbelievable pace and agility. At the 2011 draft combine managed the best times for the 10m, 20m sprints, repeat sprints and agility. But at this stage Taylor outside of his athleticism still has an incomplete game. Tackling game is solid but has the potential to be elite in this area of his game. Is a very clean ball user and has hurt factor. Physically still has a long way to go. The big thing Taylor needs to work on is his endurance which has a long way to go if he wants midfield minutes at any stage. At this stage I see Taylor as more of a small forward but he does have the potential to play higher up the ground or possibly on a wing when he develops his endurance.
Why:
#35 Hawthorn - Todd McKay (SA - Mid)
Height: 177cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 25/01/1994
Recruited from: South Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: McKay is small but strong inside ball winner. Has a very strong attack on the footy and is a serious inside ball winner. As a smaller more ready to go midfielder it will be interesting to watch where McKay goes. Has a big potential range but even though on the short side for the modern day midfielder there is a fair bit to like about his game which suggests he is a legit draft prospect. McKay has some big weapons at his disposal in his long kick and pace so there is more to him than just his inside ball winning ability which is up there with the best in this year’s crop. The thing I’d like to see McKay improve this year is his production. He has the attributes to get drafted so if he can further increase his production this year he is every chance to be drafted earlier rather than later.
Why:
#36 Carlton - Anthony Bonaddio (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 176cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 06/01/1994
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Really like what Bonaddio can do. High production midfielder who has been good for some time. Big time ball winner through the midfield. Can win his own ball while also getting some outside ball. Has great pace and if given time and space can hurt you. Skill level exceptionally high and has big hurt factor by foot with the penetration he has on his kick. When he sneaks forward is very much a goal scoring threat.
Why:
